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Video playlist: 30 essential cover versions

30 Essential Cover Versions

Every so often, a cover version manages the Herculean task of forging an identity so strong that in a lot of people's minds, that cover becomes the definitive version. Here's a look at 30 classic covers, from Elvis Presley's take on "That's All Right" to Nirvana doing David Bowie.

With Flaming Lips doing a full-album cover of the Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" and a handful of local performers assembled by Minibosses covering classic releases by Radiohead, Portishead and Wilco Friday at the Crescent Ballroom, here's a look back at some quintessential cover versions.

Artists featured range from early rock and rollers (Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis) to British Invaders (the Beatles and the Rolling Stones), from the best of the New Wave (Elvis Costello, Talking Heads) to Nirvana unplugged and Damon Albarn covering a Terry Jacks song. Yes, a Terry Jacks song.